Analisis Termal dan Rendemen Produk pada Pemanfaatan Limbah Padat Kelapa Sawit melalui Proses Pirolisis Lambat.

Abstract

Peningkatan limbah biomassa padat kelapa sawit berupa tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS), serat, dan cangkang belum ditangani secara optimal. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis potensi, mengetahui energi termal dan besar rendemen dari tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS), serat dan cangkang melalui slow pyrolysis. Pirolisis dilakukan menggunakan reaktor fixed–bed batch berkapasitas 1 kg dengan variasi suhu (100– 300 °C) dan waktu tinggal (90– 145 menit). Hasil menunjukkan cangkang memiliki profil suhu paling stabil dan keefektifan kondenser tertinggi berkat densitasnya yang besar. Sebaliknya, struktur berongga pada TKKS menyebabkan distribusi panas fluktuatif namun menghasilkan rendemen gas tertinggi (16–20%). Serat menghasilkan rendemen bio–oil tertinggi (47%), sedangkan cangkang menghasilkan biochar tertinggi (53%) dengan produk berada pada tahap torefaksi. Keefektifan kondenser seluruh kondisi operasi berkisar 66–89%. Konsumsi energi spesifik paling efisien diperoleh pada TKKS suhu 300 °C dan waktu tinggal 90 menit (4,724 kWh/kg), sementara cangkang perlu energi lebih tinggi untuk mencapai fase pirolisis. Karakteristik termal, energi, dan rendemen pirolisis lambat berbeda nyata antarjenis limbah sehingga pemilihan kondisi operasi harus disesuaikan dengan sifat fisik biomassa.

The increasing volume of solid oil palm biomass waste including empty fruit bunches (EFB), fiber, and shells has not yet been managed optimally. This study aimed to analyze the potential, determine the thermal energy, and assess the yield of empty fruit bunches (EFB), fiber, and shells through slow pyrolysis. Pyrolysis was conducted using a 1 kg fixed-bed batch reactor with varying temperatures (100–300 °C) and residence times (90–145 minutes). The results showed that shells exhibited the most stable temperature profile and the highest condenser efficiency due to their high density. In contrast, the porous structure of empty fruit bunches caused fluctuating heat distribution but yielded the highest gas yield (16–20%). Fibers produced the highest bio-oil yield (47%), while shells produced the highest biochar yield (53%), with the product reaching the torrefaction stage. Condenser efficiency across all operating conditions ranged from 66–89%. The most efficient specific energy consumption was achieved in the TKKS at 300 °C and a residence time of 90 minutes (4.724 kWh/kg), while shells required higher energy to reach the pyrolysis phase. The thermal characteristics, energy consumption, and yields of slow pyrolysis differed significantly among waste types; therefore, the selection of operating conditions must be tailored to the physical properties of the biomass.